Blockchain controlled cross-domain data transfer

ABSTRACT

An example operation may include one or more of receiving a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network, verifying that the on-chain and off-chain content satisfies a cross-domain security policy between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain, in response to verifying the on-chain and off-chain content, signing the on-chain portion of the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer, transmitting the signed on-chain portion of the data file to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network, and transmitting the off-chain portion of the data file to a cross-domain content controller in the first security domain.

BACKGROUND

A centralized platform stores and maintains data in a single location. This location is often a central computer, for example, a cloud computing environment, a web server, a mainframe computer, or the like. Information stored on a centralized platform is typically accessible from multiple different points. Multiple users or client workstations can work simultaneously on the centralized platform, for example, based on a client/server configuration. A centralized platform is easy to manage, maintain, and control, especially for purposes of security because of its single location. Within a centralized platform, data redundancy is minimized as a single storing place of all data also implies that a given set of data only has one primary record.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment provides an apparatus that includes one or more of a network interface configured to receive a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network, and a processor configured to verify that the content satisfies a cross-domain security policy for allowable content passed between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain, in response to the verification, sign the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer, transmit the signed on-chain data content to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network, and transmit the signed off-chain content to a high-assurance controlled interface also connecting the first and second security domains.

Another example embodiment provides a method that includes one or more of receiving a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network, verifying that the off-chain content satisfies a cross-domain security policy between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain, in response to verifying the off-chain content, signing the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer, transmitting the signed on-chain data file content to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network, and transmitting the signed off-chain content to a high-assurance controlled interface also connecting the first and second security domains.

A further example embodiment provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, that when read by a processor, cause the processor to perform one or more of receiving a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network, verifying that the on-chain and off-chain content satisfies a cross-domain security policy between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain, in response to verifying the on-chain and off-chain content, signing the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer, transmitting the signed on-chain data file to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network, and transmitting the signed off-chain content to a high-assurance controlled interface also connecting the first and second security domains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a multi-domain blockchain network for blockchain-based control of off-chain data according to example embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example blockchain architecture configuration, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a blockchain transactional flow among nodes, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a permissioned network, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating another permissioned network, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating a permissionless network, according to example embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4D are diagrams illustrating a process of verifying off-chain data when it is transferred from one domain of a multi-security domain blockchain network to another domain according to example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of transferring off-chain data via a multi-domain blockchain network according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example system configured to perform one or more operations described herein, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating another example system configured to perform one or more operations described herein, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a further example system configured to utilize a smart contract, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating yet another example system configured to utilize a blockchain, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a process of a new block being added to a distributed ledger, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating data contents of a new data block, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a blockchain for digital content, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating a block which may represent the structure of blocks in the blockchain, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example blockchain which stores machine learning (artificial intelligence) data, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example quantum-secure blockchain, according to example embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example system that supports one or more of the example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the instant components, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of at least one of a method, apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium and system, as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the application as claimed but is merely representative of selected embodiments.

The instant features, structures, or characteristics as described throughout this specification may be combined or removed in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “example embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “example embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined or removed in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, in the diagrams, any connection between elements can permit one-way and/or two-way communication even if the depicted connection is a one-way or two-way arrow. Also, any device depicted in the drawings can be a different device. For example, if a mobile device is shown sending information, a wired device could also be used to send the information.

In addition, while the term “message” may have been used in the description of embodiments, the application may be applied to many types of networks and data. Furthermore, while certain types of connections, messages, and signaling may be depicted in exemplary embodiments, the application is not limited to a certain type of connection, message, and signaling.

Example embodiments provide methods, systems, components, non-transitory computer readable media, devices, and/or networks, which can provide end-to-end accountability and controlled access to off-chain (off-ledger) data files that are transferred across different security domain boundaries.

In one embodiment the application utilizes a decentralized database (such as a blockchain) that is a distributed storage system, which includes multiple nodes that communicate with each other. The decentralized database includes an append-only immutable data structure resembling a distributed ledger capable of maintaining records between mutually untrusted parties. The untrusted parties are referred to herein as peers or peer nodes. Each peer maintains a copy of the database records and no single peer can modify the database records without a consensus being reached among the distributed peers. For example, the peers may execute a consensus protocol to validate blockchain storage transactions, group the storage transactions into blocks, and build a hash chain over the blocks. This process forms the ledger by ordering the storage transactions, as is necessary, for consistency. In various embodiments, a permissioned and/or a permissionless blockchain can be used. In a public or permission-less blockchain, anyone can participate without a specific identity. Public blockchains can involve native cryptocurrency and use consensus based on various protocols such as Proof of Work (PoW). On the other hand, a permissioned blockchain database provides secure interactions among a group of entities which share a common goal but which do not fully trust one another, such as businesses that exchange funds, goods, information, and the like. In some embodiments, the peers nodes are hosted in different security networks physically isolated from each other by high assurance controlled interfaces.

This application can utilize a blockchain that operates arbitrary, programmable logic, tailored to a decentralized storage scheme and referred to as “smart contracts” or “chaincodes.” In some cases, specialized chaincodes may exist for management functions and parameters which are referred to as system chaincode. The application can further utilize smart contracts that are trusted distributed applications which leverage tamper-proof properties of the blockchain database and an underlying agreement between nodes, which is referred to as an endorsement or endorsement policy. Blockchain transactions associated with this application can be “endorsed” before being committed to the blockchain while transactions, which are not endorsed, are disregarded. An endorsement policy allows chaincode to specify endorsers for a transaction in the form of a set of peer nodes that are necessary for endorsement. When a client sends the transaction to the peers specified in the endorsement policy, the transaction is executed to validate the transaction. After validation, the transactions enter an ordering phase in which a consensus protocol is used to produce an ordered sequence of endorsed transactions grouped into blocks.

This application can utilize nodes that are the communication entities of the blockchain system. A “node” may perform a logical function in the sense that multiple nodes of different types can run on the same physical server. Nodes are grouped in trust domains and are associated with logical entities that control them in various ways. Nodes may include different types, such as a client or submitting-client node which submits a transaction-invocation to an endorser (e.g., peer), and broadcasts transaction-proposals to an ordering service (e.g., ordering node). Another type of node is a peer node which can receive client submitted transactions, commit the transactions and maintain a state and a copy of the ledger of blockchain transactions. Peers can also have the role of an endorser, although it is not a requirement. An ordering-service-node or orderer is a node running the communication service for all nodes, and which implements a delivery guarantee, such as a broadcast to each of the peer nodes in the system when committing transactions and modifying a world state of the blockchain, which is another name for the initial blockchain transaction which normally includes control and setup information. In some embodiments, the orderer broadcasts to peer nodes located in different network security domains physically isolated by high assurance controlled interfaces.

This application can utilize a ledger that is a sequenced, tamper-resistant record of all state transitions of a blockchain. State transitions may result from chaincode invocations (i.e., transactions) submitted by participating parties (e.g., client nodes, ordering nodes, endorser nodes, peer nodes, etc.). Each participating party (such as a peer node) can maintain a copy of the ledger. A transaction may result in a set of asset key-value pairs being committed to the ledger as one or more operands, such as creates, updates, deletes, and the like. The ledger includes a blockchain (also referred to as a chain) which is used to store an immutable, sequenced record in blocks. The ledger also includes a state database which maintains a current state of the blockchain.

This application can utilize a chain that is a transaction log which is structured as hash-linked blocks, and each block contains a sequence of N transactions where N is equal to or greater than one. The block header includes a hash of the block's transactions, as well as a hash of the prior block's header. In this way, all transactions on the ledger may be sequenced and cryptographically linked together. Accordingly, it is not possible to tamper with the ledger data without breaking the hash links. A hash of a most recently added blockchain block represents every transaction on the chain that has come before it, making it possible to ensure that all peer nodes are in a consistent and trusted state. The chain may be stored on a peer node file system (i.e., local, attached storage, cloud, etc.), efficiently supporting the append-only nature of the blockchain workload.

The current state of the immutable ledger represents the latest values for all keys that are included in the chain transaction log. Since the current state represents the latest key values known to a channel, it is sometimes referred to as a world state. Chaincode invocations execute transactions against the current state data of the ledger. To make these chaincode interactions efficient, the latest values of the keys may be stored in a state database. The state database may be simply an indexed view into the chain's transaction log, it can therefore be regenerated from the chain at any time. The state database may automatically be recovered (or generated if needed) upon peer node startup, and before transactions are accepted.

A security domain, also referred to herein as a domain, may be a domain within which behaviors, interactions, and outcomes occur and that is defined by a governing security policy. For example, a security domain may be defined by rules for users, processes, systems, and services that apply to activity within the domain and activity with similar entities in the domain. A network with a different security domain may be kept separate from other networks. For example, a network interacting with restricted data may be kept separate from a network interacting with public data. Private networks may contain classified information that is only for authorized users or otherwise store information that it does not desire to share with users of other networks.

A blockchain excels at providing a single, assured view of asset-related transactional information to all authorized participants in a secure business network channel thereby providing complete and assured transactional attribution and provenance. However, computationally-heavy cryptographic operations become too expensive and storage volumes explode when large files are written to each ledger across a distributed blockchain network. Therefore, best practice is to store only a hash or digital signature of a large file in the ledger and keep the file itself off-ledger. In this way, the file's hash in the immutable ledger provides assurance of the provenance and integrity of the file contents no matter where the actual file is located, and ledger performance and storage remain optimum.

In contrast, traditional file-transfer cross-domain guard solutions are specifically built for securely passing large files within and across network domain boundaries, but they lack the ability to provide a single holistic assured view of each file's overarching end-to-end provenance. A typical file transfer guard knows where to look for new files, what should and should not be in a particular type of file, and where to put the file on the far side. It does not really care much about the file outside the scope of its own system accreditation boundary, and the file's guard-related provenance is limited to uncorrelated high and low side log entries.

The example embodiments address the deficiencies in the art and provide an elegant and efficient means of providing end-to-end accountability for large files exchanged between participants located on different network security domains by using a blockchain ledger in combination with a traditional file-transfer guard. The security controls of the transactional blockchain ledger bolster the security controls of a traditional file-transfer guard by providing transactional context and accountability. And the traditional file-transfer guard extends and enriches provenance by providing the file-transfer details to the associated asset's ledger entry.

The example embodiments are directed to a single permissioned blockchain network in which different security domains exists. In these examples, each security domain/enclave includes its own dedicated blockchain peers that are not accessible outside of their respective domain. In other words, a peer in a first domain may not access/communicate directly with or be aware of other peers in a second domain. This helps maintain the isolation between the two domains. However, the different domains may share a blockchain ledger. In this example, block content stored on a blockchain ledger in each of the first and second domains may be the same content. Such a network design enables more secure networks to interact with less secure networks on a limited basis.

As an example, the security domains may include a high-side security domain with stricter security controls and a low-side security domain with less strict security controls. However, it should be appreciated that any two or more differing computer domains with different policies may be implemented by the example embodiments. Therefore, it does not need to be a high-side and a low-side domain, but any type of blockchain networks which are private and which seek to share data with one another on a limited basis.

An intermediate interface may exist between the different security domains. The intermediate interface may also include controllers which detect when off-chain data is to be shared, and transfers the on-chain data to an ordering service (e.g., blockchain block creator) which is within the intermediate interface and transfers the off-chain data to another intermediate interface (e.g. a high assurance controlled interface or ‘guard’) connected between the different security domains. The ordering service may receive the on-chain data in the form of a blockchain transaction, and aggregate/accumulate transactions and other storage events from the different domains until a block is full, a predetermined time has passed, or some other condition, and create a new data block which includes the blockchain transactions. When ready, the data block is then transmitted from the ordering service to the committing peers in each respective domain, for storage on a blockchain ledger. In this way, although the peer nodes are unaware of the existence of the other nodes (and domains) they share the same data because the created blocks are stored among peer nodes on every domain.

However, the problem with this architecture is that traditionally there is no way for the different security domains to ensure that off-chain data is suitable for transfer to the other security domain. This is because traditional cross-domain solutions do not provide end-to-end in-band accountability of off-chain files that are passed between security domains. However, the off-chain data may include data values such as personally identifiable information (PII), trade secrets, and other types of sensitive information which should not be shared between the domains. As another example, the off-chain data may include malicious content (e.g., viruses, trojan horses, spam, malware, etc.) But since the off-chain data is not from the blockchain, it is not typically evaluated by the blockchain network which typically only manages data that is on-chain (i.e., stored on the blockchain of the blockchain network).

The example embodiments overcome these drawbacks by a new blockchain consensus mechanism that includes both a traditional business-based endorsement process and a cross-domain security endorsement process. This double endorsement process ensures that both the business-rules of the off-chain data are satisfied, and that classified or malicious data is not spilled into another partition/enclave of the multi-domain blockchain network.

For example, each of the different domains may include a respective cross-domain endorsement peer (or peers) which include chaincode that can verify that the content within the off-chain data satisfies a cross-domain security policy so that data is not unnecessarily spilled into the other domain that does not satisfy such cross-domain security policy. Although the cross-domain endorsement peers in each domain may function the same, each may have a different chaincode installed therein that controls the security analysis. For example, for a cross-domain endorsement peer in a high side (classified) domain, the cross-domain endorsement peer may identify classified data that should not be sent to a lower side (unclassified) domain. As another example, for a cross-domain endorsement peer in the lower side domain, the cross-domain endorsement peer may ensure that no malicious content is spilled into the higher security domain. Furthermore, each of the different domains may include a cross-domain content controller which holds the off-chain data, and controls the release of the off-chain data to another domain.

Some of the benefits of the example embodiments include in-band end-to-end assurance of the integrity and consistency of shared off-chain data between two different security domains within a single blockchain network. That is, the example embodiments provide accountability for off-chain data as it moves from one security domain to another controlled via a blockchain network that spans multiple security domains. In this case, all of the domains may share a common blockchain ledger, but security and access to the data therein may be different for each domain. The example embodiments can be used in any blockchain network where different security domains exist, for example, security domains with multiple access levels, multi-jurisdictional domains, supply chains, information management, and the like.

This system ensures that only off-chain data conforming to the security and business policies of each security domain passes across a domain boundary. In general, cross-domain policies prevent inappropriately classified information from passing from the higher-to-lower security network domains (referred to as spillage) and to prevent malicious data from flowing low-to-high (e.g., viruses, etc.) For example, information that is considered classified includes high-side host names, IP addresses, as well as classified content in the information itself. Information exchanges across boundaries between networks of differing security classifications require highly robust security controls to prevent spillage. The example embodiments can prevent unauthorized data from leaving a higher-security domain and prevent malicious data from leaving a lower-security domain or a higher-security domain.

FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-domain blockchain network 100 (“network 100”) for blockchain-based control of off-chain data according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1 , the network 100 includes two security domains, including a high-side security domain 110 and a low-side security domain 130. Each of the first and second security domains 110 and 130 may include a network of computing systems (e.g., servers, user devices, databases, cloud platforms, etc.) such as a wide area network (WAN) or the like, which are not shown in the example of FIG. 1 for brevity. In this example, the high-side security domain 110 refers to a network having a higher security classification (e.g., stricter security policies) than a network included in the low-side security domain 130. Therefore, data cannot be freely transferred from the high-side security domain 110 to the low-side security domain 130, and maybe vice versa.

In FIG. 1 , the network 100 includes a control system which includes an ordering service 120 that interfaces with both the first and second security domains 110 and 130, cross-domain endorsing peers 111 and 131, and cross-domain content controllers 112 and 132. In this example, the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 and the cross-domain content controller 112 are implemented on the high side security domain 110, and include programming for preventing the spillage of classified or even malicious on-chain and off-chain content from the high side security domain 110 to the low side security domain 130. Meanwhile, the cross-domain endorsing peer 131 and the cross-domain content controller 132 include programming for preventing the spillage of malicious on-chain and off-chain content from the low side security domain 130 to the high side security domain 110.

In addition, the high-side security domain 110 includes committing peers 113 endorsing peers 115 while the low-side security domain 130 includes its own committing peers 133 and endorsing peers 135 which are logically and physically isolated from the set of committing peers 113 and the endorsing peers 115 in the high-side security domain 110. In this case, the endorsing peers 115 may be the same or partially overlapping as the committing peers 113. Likewise, the endorsing peers 135 may be the same or partially overlapping with the committing peers 133.

In this example, the peers (e.g., committing peers 113, endorsing peers 115, cross-domain endorsing peer 111, etc.) in the high side security domain 110 may share a common blockchain ledger (i.e., distributed ledger) with the peers (e.g., committing peers 133, endorsing peers 135, cross-domain endorsing peer 131, etc.) in the low side security domain 130. Here, the blockchain may store a hash-linked chain of blocks (blockchain) including data such as network events, network information, security issues, and the like, which may be shared among the two security domains 110 and 130. In addition, both sides include client applications 114 and 134 which can request data be stored on the commonly shared blockchain ledger.

The ordering service 120 provides a controlled interface for the secure propagation of transaction blocks between the different security domains to a shared blockchain ledger. The ordering service 120 may host and encapsulate the multi-domain block-creating mechanisms (e.g., orderers in Hyperledger Fabric, etc.) Furthermore, the ordering service 120 may apply and enforce operating system (OS)-level security controls to protect hosted component processes and isolate the inter-connected domains from each other such as using mandatory access controls.

Smart contracts (chaincode) executed by the cross-domain endorsing peers 111 and 131 within each of the respective first and second security domains 110 and 130 may perform cross-domain policy validation to ensure that a file or transaction with on-chain and off-chain content satisfies the union of the security policies including both the high side security domain 110 and the low side security domain 130. Here, the transaction has to satisfy the union of both security policies (i.e. what is common to both).

The ordering service 120, the cross-domain content controllers 112 and 132, and the Cross-Domain Guard 140 together prevent any direct domain-to-domain communication between peers and enforce cross-domain endorsement and content policies (i.e., ensuring that the storage event has been properly endorsed and contains no unauthorized information such as the original proposed transaction with the verified off-chain content). The ordering service 120 may ensure that prior to inclusion in a block, every transaction is inspected and validated. Furthermore, the peers in the high side security domain 110 may be isolated from the peers in the low side security domain 130 by network, storage, operating system with secure labels, virtual machine, container, secure service container (SSC), logical partition (LPAR), and the like.

When creating a new block, the ordering service 120 may combine transactions (network events, etc.) occurring in separate domains (e.g., high side security domain 110 and low-side security domain 130, etc.) and create blocks with the combined transactions. The newly created blocks are independently sent to the peers of the high side security domain 110 and the low side security domain 130, respectively.

According to various embodiments, the client 114 may request transfer of a data file with off-chain content to the blockchain ledger shared among both the first and second security domains 110 and 130. In addition, the flow can be reversed and the transaction can originate from the client 134 on the low side security domain 130 instead of the client 114 on the high side security domain 110. However, for convenience the examples herein describe a transfer that originates from the client 114 in the high side security domain 110. Here, the client 114 may submit the request to both the endorsing peers 115 and the cross-domain endorsing peer 111. In response, the endorsing peers 115 may execute a different chaincode than the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 when performing an endorsement process of the data file with off-chain content. For example, the endorsing peers 115 may execute a chaincode which validates the data against a current state of a blockchain ledger by simulating the transaction including the off-chain content. The simulation creates a read set and a write set of the transaction. The results are signed by the endorsing peers 115 and returned to the client 114.

Meanwhile, the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 may execute a cross-domain security policy chaincode which analyzes the content within the on-chain and off-chain data to ensure that the content satisfies the cross-domain security policy. For example, the policy may not allow for certain types of PII to be transferred from the high side security domain 110 to the low side security domain 130, or the like. If the on-chain and off-chain content does not include any violations of the cross-domain security policy, then the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 may successfully verify the on-chain and off-chain content for transfer to the other side. Furthermore, the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 may send the off-chain data file to the cross-domain content controller 112 for holding. In addition, the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 may endorse the on-chain data file (transaction), and send it back to the client 114. The client 114 may submit the on-chain data file and the endorsements from both the endorsing peers 115 and the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 to the ordering service 120.

In response, the ordering service 120 determines if enough endorsing peers 115 have endorsed the on-chain data transaction, and enough cross-domain endorsing peers 111 have endorsed the on-chain and off-chain data transaction. The required number of endorsing peers 115 and cross-domain endorsing peers 111 may be stored within a cross-domain endorsement policy 122 that is integrated with the ordering service 120. If enough peers have reached consensus, the on-chain data file (transaction) is added to a new block. At some point, the ordering service 120 may cut a new block with the on-chain data file therein and broadcast the block to the blockchain peers in both sides of the network 100 including the peers (e.g., committing peers 113, endorsing peers 115, cross-domain endorsing peer 111, etc.) in the high side security domain 110 and the peers (e.g., committing peers 133, endorsing peers 135, cross-domain endorsing peer 131, etc.) in the low side security domain 130.

The cross-domain endorsing peer 111 may notify the cross-domain content controller 112 of the new block associated with the previously-stored off-chain data file. In response, the cross-domain content controller 112 may release the previously-stored off-chain data file to the cross-domain content controller 132 located in the other security domain (low side security domain 130) via a high-assurance controlled interface 140 (sometimes referred to as a cross-domain guard). The cross-domain content controller 132 may propagate the previously-stored off-chain data file to the peers (e.g., committing peers 133, endorsing peers 135, cross-domain endorsing peer 131, etc.) in the low side security domain 130. The cross-domain content controller 112 may propagate the previously-stored off-chain data file to the peers (e.g., committing peers 113, endorsing peers 115, cross-domain endorsing peer 111, etc.) in the high side security domain 130. With both the block from the ordering service 120, and the off-chain data file from the other side, the peers (e.g., committing peers 133, 113, endorsing peers 135, 115, cross-domain endorsing peers 131, 111, etc.) in the both the low and side security domains 130 and 110 are able to verify that the verified off-chain data file is the same in both the block and the off-chain data file received from the other cross-domain content controller, and commit the block to its local copy of the blockchain ledger.

In the example embodiments, each cross-domain endorsing peer 111 and 131 executes a respective cross-domain content chaincode. The cross-domain content chaincode performs content validation of the on-ledger transaction and off-ledger data file. For example, the chaincode may verify that the on-ledger transaction and off-ledger data file contains no disqualifying information. If the cross-domain security policy is satisfied, the cross-domain endorsing peer 111 will return an endorsement.

Furthermore, the cross-domain endorsement policy 122 executed by the ordering service 120 may be used to check that the trusted cross-chain endorsing peer (111 for a high-to-low flow and 131 for a low-to-high flow) has endorsed the on-chain and off-chain data file and any other cross-domain specific requirements (e.g., that x-of-y endorsing peers (115 for a high-to-low flow and 135 for a low-to-high flow) have also endorsed the transaction based on the simulation.)

When the data is transferred from one domain to another, the transfer may rely on a traditional cross-domain solution 140 (otherwise known as a high-assurance controlled interface or guard) although it is not required. For example, when the cross-domain content controller 112 transfers the off-chain data file to the cross-domain content controller 132, the transfer may not be directly between the two, although it can be. Here, the cross-domain content controller 112 may invoke a traditional cross-domain solution component such as the cross-domain guard 140 that may independently ensure that cross-domain security policies are satisfied before passing content to the other domain. These cross-domain policies could require performing another independent content validation of the file contents and/or ensuring that the content has been digitally signed by a pre-approved predefined source.

In the example embodiments, the cross-domain endorsing peers 111 and 131 are a special kind of endorsing peer with additional functionality to communicate with their associated cross-domain content controller 112 and 132, respectively, to coordinate passing/release of the off-chain content. They may enforce slightly different cross-domain security policies. For example, a high-to-low data flow may focus on ensuring no inappropriately classified information is passed. Meanwhile, a low-to-high data flow may focus on ensuring no malicious content is passed. The content validation rules may therefore be different. From a cross-domain perspective, only the cross-domain endorsing peers 111 and 131 and their cross-domain content chaincode are considered trustworthy because they are hosted in a high-assurance environment.

According to various embodiments, the cross-domain endorsement peers 111 and 131 may provide additional functionality than a regular endorsing peer. Specifically, they communicate with their same-side cross-domain content controller 112 and 132, respectively, to coordinate the passing/release of the off-ledger content. The cross-domain ordering service 120 is the component that orders/blocks/distributes transactions to both of the connected security domains, regardless of which domain it originated in. It provides for a seamless, single logical blockchain network spanning multiple security domains.

Furthermore, the cross-domain content controllers 112 and 132 may provide a trusted source of content to and a trusted destination for the traditional cross-domain solution 140. The cross-domain content controllers 112 and 132 may ensure that no content is passed across security domains nor distributed within a security domain unless it has satisfied all of its security policy checks. Additionally, they may add/provide trusted metadata to the newly sent block of the blockchain which includes a current status of the off-ledger content as it is being transported and distributed within the network 100. For example, the status may identify that the off-chain content has been endorsed by one or both the endorsing peers 115 and the cross-domain endorsement peer 111. In addition, the status may identify a next step to be performed such as verify that the off-chain data is signed, etc. This metadata is stored on-ledger associated with the transaction to provide granular accountability/provenance of the off-ledger content. It records when the off-ledger content is passed to the traditional cross-domain solution 140, is picked up from the traditional cross-domain solution 140, is authorized for distribution to other same-side nodes/peers, and is picked up by authorized same-side nodes/peers.

FIG. 2A illustrates a blockchain architecture configuration 200, according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2A, the blockchain architecture 200 may include certain blockchain elements, for example, a group of blockchain nodes 202. The blockchain nodes 202 may include one or more nodes 204-210 (these four nodes are depicted by example only). These nodes participate in a number of activities, such as blockchain transaction addition and validation process (consensus). One or more of the blockchain nodes 204-210 may endorse transactions based on endorsement policy and may provide an ordering service for all blockchain nodes in the architecture 200. A blockchain node may initiate a blockchain authentication and seek to write to a blockchain immutable ledger stored in blockchain layer 216, a copy of which may also be stored on the underpinning physical infrastructure 214. The blockchain configuration may include one or more applications 224 which are linked to application programming interfaces (APIs) 222 to access and execute stored program/application code 220 (e.g., chaincode, smart contracts, etc.) which can be created according to a customized configuration sought by participants and can maintain their own state, control their own assets, and receive external information. This can be deployed as a transaction and installed, via appending to the distributed ledger, on all blockchain nodes 204-210.

The blockchain base or platform 212 may include various layers of blockchain data, services (e.g., cryptographic trust services, virtual execution environment, etc.), and underpinning physical computer infrastructure that may be used to receive and store new transactions and provide access to auditors which are seeking to access data entries. The blockchain layer 216 may expose an interface that provides access to the virtual execution environment necessary to process the program code and engage the physical infrastructure 214. Cryptographic trust services 218 may be used to verify transactions such as asset exchange transactions and keep information private.

The blockchain architecture configuration of FIG. 2A may process and execute program/application code 220 via one or more interfaces exposed, and services provided, by blockchain platform 212. The code 220 may control blockchain assets. For example, the code 220 can store and transfer data, and may be executed by nodes 204-210 in the form of a smart contract and associated chaincode with conditions or other code elements subject to its execution. As a non-limiting example, smart contracts may be created to execute reminders, updates, and/or other notifications subject to the changes, updates, etc. The smart contracts can themselves be used to identify rules associated with authorization and access requirements and usage of the ledger. For example, the smart contract (or chaincode executing the logic of the smart contract) may read blockchain data 226 which may be processed by one or more processing entities (e.g., virtual machines) included in the blockchain layer 216 to generate results 228 including alerts, determining liability, and the like, within a complex service scenario. The physical infrastructure 214 may be utilized to retrieve any of the data or information described herein.

A smart contract may be created via a high-level application and programming language, and then written to a block in the blockchain. The smart contract may include executable code which is registered, stored, and/or replicated with a blockchain (e.g., distributed network of blockchain peers). A transaction is an execution of the smart contract code which can be performed in response to conditions associated with the smart contract being satisfied. The executing of the smart contract may trigger a trusted modification(s) to a state of a digital blockchain ledger. The modification(s) to the blockchain ledger caused by the smart contract execution may be automatically replicated throughout the distributed network of blockchain peers through one or more consensus protocols.

The smart contract may write data to the blockchain in the format of key-value pairs. Furthermore, the smart contract code can read the values stored in a blockchain and use them in application operations. The smart contract code can write the output of various logic operations into one or more blocks within the blockchain. The code may be used to create a temporary data structure in a virtual machine or other computing platform. Data written to the blockchain can be public and/or can be encrypted and maintained as private. The temporary data that is used/generated by the smart contract is held in memory by the supplied execution environment, then deleted once the data needed for the blockchain is identified.

A chaincode may include the code interpretation (e.g., the logic) of a smart contract. For example, the chaincode may include a packaged and deployable version of the logic within the smart contract. As described herein, the chaincode may be program code deployed on a computing network, where it is executed and validated by chain validators together during a consensus process. The chaincode may receive a hash and retrieve from the blockchain a hash associated with the data template created by use of a previously stored feature extractor. If the hashes of the hash identifier and the hash created from the stored identifier template data match, then the chaincode sends an authorization key to the requested service. The chaincode may write to the blockchain data associated with the cryptographic details.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a blockchain transactional flow 250 between nodes of a single-domain blockchain in accordance with an example embodiment. The example of FIG. 2B does not include the embodiments required for a multi-domain blockchain network. Referring to FIG. 2B, the transaction flow may include a client node 260 transmitting a transaction proposal 291 to an endorsing peer node 281. The endorsing peer 281 may verify the client signature and execute a chaincode function to initiate the transaction. The output may include the chaincode results, a set of key/value versions that were read in the chaincode (read set), and the set of keys/values that were written in chaincode (write set). Here, the endorsing peer 281 may determine whether or not to endorse the transaction proposal. The proposal response 292 is sent back to the client 260 along with an endorsement signature, if approved. The client 260 assembles the endorsements into a transaction payload 293 and broadcasts it to an ordering service node 284. The ordering service node 284 then delivers ordered transactions as blocks to all peers 281-283 on a channel. Before committal to the blockchain, each peer 281-283 may validate the transaction. For example, the peers may check the endorsement policy to ensure that the correct allotment of the specified peers have signed the results and authenticated the signatures against the transaction payload 293.

The example of the transactional flow 250 of FIG. 2B corresponds to a single client submitting a transaction to a blockchain network for endorsement. According to various embodiments, the transactional flow 250 shown in FIG. 2B may be performed by different clients independently for the same physical transaction. In other words, the transactional flow 250 is between one client and the blockchain network, but it may be performed by multiple clients.

Referring again to FIG. 2B, the client node initiates the transaction 291 by constructing and sending a request to the peer node 281, which is an endorser. The client 260 may include an application leveraging a supported software development kit (SDK), which utilizes an available API to generate a transaction proposal. The proposal is a request to invoke a chaincode function so that data can be read and/or written to the ledger (i.e., write new key value pairs for the assets). The SDK may serve as a shim to package the transaction proposal into a properly architected format (e.g., protocol buffer over a remote procedure call (RPC)) and take the client's cryptographic credentials to produce a unique signature for the transaction proposal.

In response, the endorsing peer node 281 may verify (a) that the transaction proposal is well formed, (b) the transaction has not been submitted already in the past (replay-attack protection), (c) the signature is valid, and (d) that the submitter (client 260, in the example) is properly authorized to perform the proposed operation on that channel. The endorsing peer node 281 may take the transaction proposal inputs as arguments to the invoked chaincode function. The chaincode is then executed against a current state database to produce transaction results including a response value, read set, and write set. However, no updates are made to the ledger at this point. In 292, the set of values, along with the endorsing peer node's 281 signature is passed back as a proposal response 292 to the SDK of the client 260 which parses the payload for the application to consume.

In response, the application of the client 260 inspects/verifies the endorsing peers signatures and compares the proposal responses to determine if the proposal response is the same. If the chaincode only queried the ledger, the application would inspect the query response and would typically not submit the transaction to the ordering node service 284. If the client application intends to submit the transaction to the ordering node service 284 to update the ledger, the application determines if the specified endorsement policy has been fulfilled before submitting (i.e., did all peer nodes necessary for the transaction endorse the transaction). Here, the client may include only one of multiple parties to the transaction. In this case, each client may have their own endorsing node, and each endorsing node will need to endorse the transaction. The architecture is such that even if an application selects not to inspect responses or otherwise forwards an unendorsed transaction, the endorsement policy will still be enforced by peers and upheld at the commit validation phase.

After successful inspection, in step 293 the client 260 assembles endorsements into a transaction proposal and broadcasts the transaction proposal and response within a transaction message to the ordering node 284. The transaction may contain the read/write sets, the endorsing peers signatures and a channel ID. The ordering node 284 does not need to inspect the entire content of a transaction in order to perform its operation, instead the ordering node 284 may simply receive transactions from all channels in the network, order them chronologically by channel, and create blocks of transactions per channel.

The blocks are delivered from the ordering node 284 to all peer nodes 281-283 on the channel. The data section within the block may be validated to ensure an endorsement policy is fulfilled and to ensure that there have been no changes to ledger state for read set variables since the read set was generated by the transaction execution. Furthermore, in step 295 each peer node 281-283 appends the block to the channel's chain, and for each valid transaction the write sets are committed to current state database. An event may be emitted, to notify the client application that the transaction (invocation) has been immutably appended to the chain, as well as to notify whether the transaction was validated or invalidated.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a permissioned blockchain network 300, which features a distributed, decentralized peer-to-peer architecture. In this example, a blockchain user 302 may initiate a transaction to the permissioned blockchain 304. In this example, the transaction can be a deploy, invoke, or query, and may be issued through a client-side application leveraging an SDK, directly through an API, etc. Networks may provide access to a regulator 306, such as an auditor. A blockchain network operator 308 manages member permissions, such as enrolling the regulator 306 as an “auditor” and the blockchain user 302 as a “client”. An auditor could be restricted only to querying the ledger whereas a client could be authorized to deploy, invoke, and query certain types of chaincode.

A blockchain developer 310 can write chaincode and client-side applications. The blockchain developer 310 can deploy chaincode directly to the network through an interface. To include credentials from a traditional data source 312 in chaincode, the developer 310 could use an out-of-band connection to access the data. In this example, the blockchain user 302 connects to the permissioned blockchain 304 through a peer node 314. Before proceeding with any transactions, the peer node 314 retrieves the user's enrollment and transaction certificates from a certificate authority 316, which manages user roles and permissions. In some cases, blockchain users must possess these digital certificates in order to transact on the permissioned blockchain 304. Meanwhile, a user attempting to utilize chaincode may be required to verify their credentials on the traditional data source 312. To confirm the user's authorization, chaincode can use an out-of-band connection to this data through a traditional processing platform 318.

FIG. 3B illustrates another example of a permissioned blockchain network 320, which features a distributed, decentralized peer-to-peer architecture. In this example, a blockchain user 322 may submit a transaction to the permissioned blockchain 324. In this example, the transaction can be a deploy, invoke, or query, and may be issued through a client-side application leveraging an SDK, directly through an API, etc. Networks may provide access to a regulator 326, such as an auditor. A blockchain network operator 328 manages member permissions, such as enrolling the regulator 326 as an “auditor” and the blockchain user 322 as a “client”. An auditor could be restricted only to querying the ledger whereas a client could be authorized to deploy, invoke, and query certain types of chaincode.

A blockchain developer 330 writes chaincode and client-side applications. The blockchain developer 330 can deploy chaincode directly to the network through an interface. To include credentials from a traditional data source 332 in chaincode, the developer 330 could use an out-of-band connection to access the data. In this example, the blockchain user 322 connects to the network through a peer node 334. Before proceeding with any transactions, the peer node 334 retrieves the user's enrollment and transaction certificates from the certificate authority 336. In some cases, blockchain users must possess these digital certificates in order to transact on the permissioned blockchain 324. Meanwhile, a user attempting to utilize chaincode may be required to verify their credentials on the traditional data source 332. To confirm the user's authorization, chaincode can use an out-of-band connection to this data through a traditional processing platform 338.

In some embodiments, the blockchain herein may be a permissionless blockchain. In contrast with permissioned blockchains which require permission to join, anyone can join a permissionless blockchain. For example, to join a permissionless blockchain a user may create a personal address and begin interacting with the network, by submitting transactions, and hence adding entries to the ledger. Additionally, all parties have the choice of running a node on the system and employing the mining protocols to help verify transactions.

FIG. 3C illustrates a process 350 of a transaction being processed by a permissionless blockchain 352 including a plurality of nodes 354. A sender 356 desires to send payment or some other form of value (e.g., a deed, medical records, a contract, a good, a service, or any other asset that can be encapsulated in a digital record) to a recipient 358 via the permissionless blockchain 352. In one embodiment, each of the sender device 356 and the recipient device 358 may have digital wallets (associated with the blockchain 352) that provide user interface controls and a display of transaction parameters. In response, the transaction is broadcast throughout the blockchain 352 to the nodes 354. Depending on the blockchain's 352 network parameters the nodes verify 360 the transaction based on rules (which may be pre-defined or dynamically allocated) established by the permissionless blockchain 352 creators. For example, this may include verifying identities of the parties involved, etc. The transaction may be verified immediately or it may be placed in a queue with other transactions and the nodes 354 determine if the transactions are valid based on a set of network rules.

In structure 362, valid transactions are formed into a block and sealed with a lock (hash). This process may be performed by mining nodes among the nodes 354. Mining nodes may utilize additional software specifically for mining and creating blocks for the permissionless blockchain 352. Each block may be identified by a hash (e.g., 256 bit number, etc.) created using an algorithm agreed upon by the network. Each block may include a header, a pointer or reference to a hash of a previous block's header in the chain, and a group of valid transactions. The reference to the previous block's hash is associated with the creation of the secure independent chain of blocks.

Before blocks can be added to the blockchain, the blocks must be validated. Validation for the permissionless blockchain 352 may include a proof-of-work (PoW) which is a solution to a puzzle derived from the block's header. Although not shown in the example of FIG. 3C, another process for validating a block is proof-of-stake. Unlike the proof-of-work, where the algorithm rewards miners who solve mathematical problems, with the proof of stake, a creator of a new block is chosen in a deterministic way, depending on its wealth, also defined as “stake.” Then, a similar proof is performed by the selected/chosen node.

With mining 364, nodes try to solve the block by making incremental changes to one variable until the solution satisfies a network-wide target. This creates the PoW thereby ensuring correct answers. In other words, a potential solution must prove that computing resources were drained in solving the problem. In some types of permissionless blockchains, miners may be rewarded with value (e.g., coins, etc.) for correctly mining a block.

Here, the PoW process, alongside the chaining of blocks, makes modifications of the blockchain extremely difficult, as an attacker must modify all subsequent blocks in order for the modifications of one block to be accepted. Furthermore, as new blocks are mined, the difficulty of modifying a block increases, and the number of subsequent blocks increases. With distribution 366, the successfully validated block is distributed through the permissionless blockchain 352 and all nodes 354 add the block to a majority chain which is the permissionless blockchain's 352 auditable ledger. Furthermore, the value in the transaction submitted by the sender 356 is deposited or otherwise transferred to the digital wallet of the recipient device 358.

In the example embodiments, cross-domain-specific endorsement policies, endorser types, and distribution controls hosted in a high-assurance compute/network/storage environment ensure that high assurance (trusted) endorsing peers have endorsed the transaction including a newly defined cross-domain endorsing peer. The endorser-type distinguish between high-assurance (trusted) cross-domain endorsing peers and (non-trusted-from a cross-domain security perspective) business endorsing peers. A distribution policy (cross-domain security policy) ensures content is distributed only to authorized peers without revealing sensitive far-side identities. Cross-domain-specific on-ledger and off-ledger content validation chaincode executed by the cross-domain endorsement peer provides high assurance that an off-chain data file can be successfully transferred because it satisfies the cross-domain content requirements that prevent data ‘spillage’.

The cross-domain-specific content controllers may control the release and dissemination of endorsed off-ledger data files through traditional cross-domain solutions (CDS). For example, the cross-domain content controller may release off-ledger content to the other side, via a traditional cross-domain solution, after the ordering service has validated and transmitted the new block including the ordered transactions including the on-chain data file. The other-side cross-domain content controller may pick up off-ledger content from the other side and disseminate the off-ledger content in accordance with a configuration policy. Here, the same side peers may request it using an on-ledger key or the off-chain data may automatically be sent to pre-designated peers. Furthermore, the cross-domain content controller may log all content receipts and transfers to the blockchain via the same-side endorsing peer. Optionally the cross-domain content controller may encrypt the content prior to distribution using on-ledger key of associated transaction. The cross-domain content controller provides in-band (via the blockchain) accountability of the data.

Some of the benefits provided herein include the validation of off-ledger content as it moves from one side to another in a multi-domain network. Here, the off-ledger content is verified to comply with cross-domain release policies in accordance with a cross-domain endorsement policy of the ordering service and content validation chaincode of the corresponding cross-domain endorsement peer. Furthermore, the cross-domain content controller can hold validated off-ledger content and release the content to the cross-domain content controller on the other side (e.g., via a traditional cross-domain solution). For example, upon receiving a block from the ordering service which includes the validated on-chain content, the same side cross-domain endorsing peer signals the cross-domain content controller to release the validated off-chain content to the cross-domain content controller on the other side. Here, the cross-domain content controller may digitally sign and provides the off-chain content to the other side, via the traditional cross-domain solution, and notify the cross-domain endorsing peer who logs it to the shared ledger.

On the other side, the cross-domain content controller may watch a designated cross-domain solution for new content, validates digital signature, and provides the validated off-chain content to its same-side cross-domain endorsing peer. Here, the cross-domain endorsing peer logs actions and any metadata to the shared ledger. Furthermore, the cross-domain endorsement peer may perform a pre-commit content validation by hashing the off-chain content, and comparing the locally generated hash to content hash in the block provided from the ordering service. For example, the cross-domain endorsement peer may compare the locally generated hash to a block hash of the new block and commit the transaction upon successfully validation. The other committing peers on that side may also perform the same validation and commit. Furthermore, the cross-domain endorsing peer may perform a post-commit content distribution to distribute the validated off-chain content to designated same-side peers in accordance with a distribution policy. Here, the cross-domain controller may notify a cross-domain endorsing peer of all distributions who logs events to ledger.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an overall process of verifying off-chain data when it is transferred from a high side security domain to a low side security domain of a multi-security domain blockchain network according to example embodiments. In these examples, the process is performed via a multi-domain blockchain network which includes two different security domains (high security domain and low security domain). In FIG. 4A, the high side security domain is shown. In this example, the high side security domain includes a client 411, a cross-domain endorsing peer 412, a cross-domain content controller 413, an off-chain database 414, and a plurality of endorsing peers 415.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a process 400A of the client 411 submitting a transaction to a cross-domain ordering service 420 is shown. In this example, the high-side client 411 originates a transaction proposal with off-chain content from an off-chain source, for example, a website, an authority, a weather service, another blockchain network, or the like. Here, the client 411 may send the transaction to a blockchain business network which extends across security domain boundaries with associated off-ledger content and sends it to same-side endorsing peers including the cross-domain endorsing peer 412 and the endorsing peers 415 which perform traditional endorsement.

In this example, the endorsing peers 415 are not considered as trusted because they do not lie within a high assurance (HA) boundary 416 that includes the cross-domain endorsing peer 412, the cross-domain content controller 413, and the ordering service 420. Components located within the HA boundary 416 are considered more trustworthy for cross-domain purposes because they may employ security controls (e.g. OS-level Mandatory Access Controls (MAC)) that provide high assurance against compromise. Although not shown in FIG. 4A, the HA boundary 416 may also include a cross-domain endorsing peer 432 and a cross-domain content controller 433 of a low side security domain. The cross-domain endorsing peer 412, the cross-domain content controller 413, and the ordering service 420 are considered trusted because within the HA boundary 416. In the process 400A, the cross-domain endorsing peer 412 may endorse the transaction based on a cross-domain content chaincode that is specific to the high side of the network. In this example, the cross-domain endorsing peer 412 may execute the chaincode to validate/check that the on-chain and off-chain content does not include any data (e.g., names, values, contact information, social security information, etc.) which is not allowed to be exposed to the low side.

The on-ledger and off-ledger content may be validated by the cross-domain endorsing peer 412 which performs content checks using cross-domain content chaincode. The logic in this content-checking chaincode may be considered sensitive. For high-to-low flows, cross-domain content chaincode can check to ensure the content is releasable to the lower-classification security domain (prevent spillage). Meanwhile, the endorsing peers 415 may perform endorsement validation of the transaction proposal by simulating the transaction against a current state of the ledger and signing/endorsing the results and sending it back to the client 411. Endorsed proposals excluding the off-ledger content are returned to the client 411 who compares the endorsements to the cross-domain endorsement policy. Meanwhile, the cross-domain endorsing peer 412 digitally signs the validated off-ledger content and sends it to the same-side (trusted) cross-domain content controller. If properly endorsed per policy, the originating transaction client submits the Endorsed Proposal, excluding the off-ledger content, to the (trusted) Cross-Domain Orderer (simplified in diagram—separate patent application filed).

FIG. 4B illustrates a process of ordering the transaction including the on-chain data within a block 422 that is distributed to committing peers in all security domains. In this example, the ordering service 420 validates that the transaction proposal uploaded by the client 411 in the process 400A of FIG. 4A, is properly endorsed per the cross-domain endorsement policy 122 shown in FIG. 1 . Here, the ordering service 420 may order and collect multiple transactions from both of the security domains into block 422 and simultaneously broadcast the block 422 to the cross-domain endorsing peers 412 and 432, and the committing peers 415 and 435 in all of the available security domains. Thus, all committing peers on all security domains (high and low) will have the block 422.

FIG. 4C illustrates a process 400C of transferring the off-chain content that has been validated by the cross-domain endorsing peer 412 and signed by the cross-domain content controller 413 to the cross-domain content controller 433 in the other (opposite side) security domain. Here, the cross-domain endorsing peer 412 has received the block 422 including the ordered transactions with the transaction proposal submitted from the client 411 (with a reference to the off-chain content transaction) and notifies the same-side cross-domain content controller 413 of associated off-ledger content.

In response, the cross-domain content controller 413 may digitally sign the validated content such as an off-chain data file with an orderer-generated transaction ID and submits it to a traditional cross domain solution (not shown). In response, the traditional cross domain solution may validate the digital signature and the content in accordance with its own validation policies. Furthermore, the cross domain solution passes validated content to the far-side security domain, and in particular, to the far-side cross domain content controller 433. In some embodiments, either the cross-domain content controller 413 and the cross domain solution may also provide supporting metadata including digital signature to log its validation and provide accountability.

FIG. 4D illustrates a process 400D of validating and committing the block 422 to the peers on the opposite side of the network. However, it should be appreciated that the process 400D described in FIG. 4D may be respectively performed by all security domains (e.g., both sides of the multi-domain blockchain network). Referring to FIG. 4D, the (trusted) far-side cross-domain content controller 433 may validate digital signatures within the off-chain data file and hold the validated content.

In some embodiments, the cross-domain content controller 433 may receive content requests from same-side committing peers 435 and the cross-domain endorsing peer 432. After authentication and authorization in accordance with a channel policy, the cross-domain content controller 433 may pass the off-ledger content and any supporting metadata to the committing peers 435 and the cross-domain endorsing peer 432. In response, the peers validate the content provided by the cross-domain content controller 433 against its respective hash and transaction ID in the on-ledger endorsed ordered transaction as part of their pre-commit validation, which is included in the block 422, and commit the transaction and move/store the off-ledger content as required. In some embodiments, the cross-domain content controller 433 may retain and/or archive the off-ledger content in accordance with a retention policy.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 of transferring off-chain data via a multi-domain blockchain network according to example embodiments. As a non-limiting example, the method 500 may be performed by one or more peers in a multi-domain blockchain network, and the like. Referring to FIG. 5 , in 510, the method may include receiving a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network. Here, the off-chain content may be received as part of a request to transmit the off-chain data content within the data file to a different security domain (i.e., a second security domain) within the multi-domain blockchain network.

As an example, a sender may desire to provide the off-chain content within a document, a file, a transaction, or the like, to a receiver (e.g., user, application, service, etc.) in a lower-security domain. In this case, the blockchain network can ensure that data that is only classified for use by the higher-security domain is not exposed in the lower-security domain. As another example, the sender may desire to send the off-chain content to a receiver in a higher-security domain. In this example, the blockchain network can prevent malicious data from the lower-security domain from being sent into the higher-security domain.

In 520, the method may include verifying that the on-chain and off-chain content satisfies a cross-domain security policy between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain. In 530, in response to verifying the on-chain and off-chain content satisfies the cross-domain security policy, the method may include signing the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer. Furthermore, in 540, the method may include transmitting the signed on-chain portion of the data file to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network. In 550, the method may include transmitting the signed off-chain portion of the data file to the second security domain via a cross-domain content controller and high-assurance controlled interface.

In some embodiments, the first security domain is logically and physically isolated from the second security domain via high-assurance controlled interfaces that are implemented for the blockchain ordering service and by traditional cross-domain solutions. In some embodiments, the verifying may include verifying that the on-chain and off-chain data does not expose any content that is classified for use in the first security domain but not for use in the second security domain. As another example, the verifying may include verifying that the on-chain and off-chain content does not introduce any malicious content from the first security domain into the second security domain.

In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, via the ordering service, that a predetermined number of cross-domain endorsement peers have signed the data file to reach a consensus. In some embodiments, in response to the determination, the method may further include the ordering service transmitting the signed on-chain data file to a first set of blockchain peers in the first security domain and a second set of blockchain peers in the second security domain. In some embodiments, the method may further include a cross-domain endorsement node in the first security domain receiving a block from the ordering service which includes the a reference to the signed off-chain data file, and transmitting a notification to a cross-domain content controller in the first security domain. In some embodiments, the method may include the cross-domain content controller, upon receiving notification from the cross-domain endorsement node, transmitting the associated off-chain data file it holds to a second domain cross-domain content controller. In some embodiments, the off-chain data file may be transmitted between the first and second domain cross-domain content controllers via a traditional high-assurance cross-domain solution. In some embodiments, the method may further include adding metadata to the block, wherein the metadata includes an identifier of the off-chain content and a status identifier which describes a current step of the signed data file in the cross-domain validation.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example system 600 that includes a physical infrastructure 610 configured to perform various operations according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6A, the physical infrastructure 610 includes a module 612 and a module 614. The module 614 includes a blockchain 620 and a smart contract 630 (which may reside on the blockchain 620), that may execute any of the operational steps 608 (in module 612) included in any of the example embodiments. The steps/operations 608 may include one or more of the embodiments described or depicted and may represent output or written information that is written or read from one or more smart contracts 630 and/or blockchains 620. The physical infrastructure 610, the module 612, and the module 614 may include one or more computers, servers, processors, memories, and/or wireless communication devices. Further, the module 612 and the module 614 may be a same module.

FIG. 6B illustrates another example system 640 configured to perform various operations according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6B, the system 640 includes a module 612 and a module 614. The module 614 includes a blockchain 620 and a smart contract 630 (which may reside on the blockchain 620), that may execute any of the operational steps 608 (in module 612) included in any of the example embodiments. The steps/operations 608 may include one or more of the embodiments described or depicted and may represent output or written information that is written or read from one or more smart contracts 630 and/or blockchains 620. The physical infrastructure 610, the module 612, and the module 614 may include one or more computers, servers, processors, memories, and/or wireless communication devices. Further, the module 612 and the module 614 may be a same module.

FIG. 6C illustrates an example system configured to utilize a smart contract configuration among contracting parties and a mediating server configured to enforce the smart contract terms on the blockchain according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6C, the configuration 650 may represent a communication session, an asset transfer session or a process or procedure that is driven by a smart contract 630 which explicitly identifies one or more user devices 652 and/or 656. The execution, operations and results of the smart contract execution may be managed by a server 654. Content of the smart contract 630 may require digital signatures by one or more of the entities 652 and 656 which are parties to the smart contract transaction. The results of the smart contract execution may be written to a blockchain 620 as a blockchain transaction. The smart contract 630 resides on the blockchain 620 which may reside on one or more computers, servers, processors, memories, and/or wireless communication devices.

FIG. 6D illustrates a system 660 including a blockchain, according to example embodiments. Referring to the example of FIG. 6D, an application programming interface (API) gateway 662 provides a common interface for accessing blockchain logic (e.g., smart contract 630 or other chaincode) and data (e.g., distributed ledger, etc.). In this example, the API gateway 662 is a common interface for performing transactions (invoke, queries, etc.) on the blockchain by connecting one or more entities 652 and 656 to a blockchain peer (i.e., server 654). Here, the server 654 is a blockchain network peer component that holds a copy of the world state and a distributed ledger allowing clients 652 and 656 to query data on the world state as well as submit transactions into the blockchain network where, depending on the smart contract 630 and endorsement policy, endorsing peers will run the smart contracts 630.

The above embodiments may be implemented in hardware, in a computer program executed by a processor, in firmware, or in a combination of the above. A computer program may be embodied on a computer readable medium, such as a storage medium. For example, a computer program may reside in random access memory (“RAM”), flash memory, read-only memory (“ROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or any other form of storage medium known in the art.

An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor may read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components.

FIG. 7A illustrates a process 700 of a new block being added to a distributed ledger 720, according to example embodiments, and FIG. 7B illustrates contents of a new data block structure 730 for blockchain, according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 7A, clients (not shown) may submit transactions to blockchain nodes 711, 712, and/or 713. Clients may be instructions received from any source to enact activity on the blockchain 720. As an example, clients may be applications that act on behalf of a requester, such as a device, person or entity to propose transactions for the blockchain. The plurality of blockchain peers (e.g., blockchain nodes 711, 712, and 713) may maintain a state of the blockchain network and a copy of the distributed ledger 720. Different types of blockchain nodes/peers may be present in the blockchain network including endorsing peers which simulate and endorse transactions proposed by clients and committing peers which verify endorsements, validate transactions, and commit transactions to the distributed ledger 720. In this example, the blockchain nodes 711, 712, and 713 may perform the role of endorser node, committer node, or both.

The distributed ledger 720 includes a blockchain which stores immutable, sequenced records in blocks, and a state database 724 (current world state) maintaining a current state of the blockchain 722. One distributed ledger 720 may exist per channel and each peer maintains its own copy of the distributed ledger 720 for each channel of which they are a member. The blockchain 722 is a transaction log, structured as hash-linked blocks where each block contains a sequence of N transactions. Blocks may include various components such as shown in FIG. 7B. The linking of the blocks (shown by arrows in FIG. 7A) may be generated by adding a hash of a prior block's header within a block header of a current block. In this way, all transactions on the blockchain 722 are sequenced and cryptographically linked together preventing tampering with blockchain data without breaking the hash links. Furthermore, because of the links, the latest block in the blockchain 722 represents every transaction that has come before it. The blockchain 722 may be stored on a peer file system (local or attached storage), which supports an append-only blockchain workload.

The current state of the blockchain 722 and the distributed ledger 722 may be stored in the state database 724. Here, the current state data represents the latest values for all keys ever included in the chain transaction log of the blockchain 722. Chaincode invocations execute transactions against the current state in the state database 724. To make these chaincode interactions extremely efficient, the latest values of all keys are stored in the state database 724. The state database 724 may include an indexed view into the transaction log of the blockchain 722, it can therefore be regenerated from the chain at any time. The state database 724 may automatically get recovered (or generated if needed) upon peer startup, before transactions are accepted.

Endorsing nodes receive transactions from clients and endorse the transaction based on simulated results. Endorsing nodes hold smart contracts which simulate the transaction proposals. When an endorsing node endorses a transaction, the endorsing nodes creates a transaction endorsement which is a signed response from the endorsing node to the client application indicating the endorsement of the simulated transaction. The method of endorsing a transaction depends on an endorsement policy which may be specified within chaincode. An example of an endorsement policy is “the majority of endorsing peers must endorse the transaction”. Different channels may have different endorsement policies. Endorsed transactions are forward by the client application to ordering service 710.

The ordering service 710 accepts endorsed transactions, orders them into a block, and delivers the blocks to the committing peers. For example, the ordering service 710 may initiate a new block when a threshold of transactions has been reached, a timer times out, or another condition. In the example of FIG. 7A, blockchain node 712 is a committing peer that has received a new data new data block 730 for storage on blockchain 720. The first block in the blockchain may be referred to as a genesis block which includes information about the blockchain, its members, the data stored therein, etc.

The ordering service 710 may be made up of a cluster of orderers. The ordering service 710 does not process transactions, smart contracts, or maintain the shared ledger. Rather, the ordering service 710 may accept the endorsed transactions and specifies the order in which those transactions are committed to the distributed ledger 720. The architecture of the blockchain network may be designed such that the specific implementation of ‘ordering’ (e.g., Solo, Kafka, BFT, etc.) becomes a pluggable component.

Transactions are written to the distributed ledger 720 in a consistent order. The order of transactions is established to ensure that the updates to the state database 724 are valid when they are committed to the network. Unlike a cryptocurrency blockchain system (e.g., Bitcoin, etc.) where ordering occurs through the solving of a cryptographic puzzle, or mining, in this example the parties of the distributed ledger 720 may choose the ordering mechanism that best suits that network.

When the ordering service 710 initializes a new data block 730, the new data block 730 may be broadcast to committing peers (e.g., blockchain nodes 711, 712, and 713). In response, each committing peer validates the transaction within the new data block 730 by checking to make sure that the read set and the write set still match the current world state in the state database 724. Specifically, the committing peer can determine whether the read data that existed when the endorsers simulated the transaction is identical to the current world state in the state database 724. When the committing peer validates the transaction, the transaction is written to the blockchain 722 on the distributed ledger 720, and the state database 724 is updated with the write data from the read-write set. If a transaction fails, that is, if the committing peer finds that the read-write set does not match the current world state in the state database 724, the transaction ordered into a block will still be included in that block, but it will be marked as invalid, and the state database 724 will not be updated.

Referring to FIG. 7B, a new data block 730 (also referred to as a data block) that is stored on the blockchain 722 of the distributed ledger 720 may include multiple data segments such as a block header 740, block data 750 (block data section), and block metadata 760. It should be appreciated that the various depicted blocks and their contents, such as new data block 730 and its contents, shown in FIG. 7B are merely examples and are not meant to limit the scope of the example embodiments. In a conventional block, the data section may store transactional information of N transaction(s) (e.g., 1, 10, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, etc.) within the block data 750.

The new data block 730 may include a link to a previous block (e.g., on the blockchain 722 in FIG. 7A) within the block header 740. In particular, the block header 740 may include a hash of a previous block's header. The block header 740 may also include a unique block number, a hash of the block data 750 of the new data block 730, and the like. The block number of the new data block 730 may be unique and assigned in various orders, such as an incremental/sequential order starting from zero.

According to various embodiments, the block data 750 may store verified off-chain data 752 which may include an identifier of a data file which includes the off-chain data, a status identifier of the blockchain transaction including the off-chain data, and the like. Accordingly, the verified off-chain data 752 can be stored in an immutable log of blocks (blockchain 722) on the distributed ledger 720. Some of the benefits of storing the verified off-chain data 752 on the blockchain are reflected in the various embodiments disclosed and depicted herein. Although in FIG. 7B, the verified off-chain data 7752 is depicted in the block data 750, in other examples, the verified off-chain data 752 may be stored within the block header 740 or the block metadata 760.

The block metadata 760 may store multiple fields of metadata (e.g., as a byte array, etc.). Metadata fields may include signature on block creation, a reference to a last configuration block, a transaction filter identifying valid and invalid transactions within the block, last offset persisted of an ordering service that ordered the block, and the like. The signature, the last configuration block, and the orderer metadata may be added by the ordering service 710. Meanwhile, a committer of the block (such as blockchain node 712) may add validity/invalidity information based on an endorsement policy, verification of read/write sets, and the like. The transaction filter may include a byte array of a size equal to the number of transactions that are included in the block data 750 and a validation code identifying whether a transaction was valid/invalid.

FIG. 7C illustrates an embodiment of a blockchain 770 for digital content in accordance with the embodiments described herein. The digital content may include one or more files and associated information. The files may include media, images, video, audio, text, links, graphics, animations, web pages, documents, or other forms of digital content. The immutable, append-only aspects of the blockchain serve as a safeguard to protect the integrity, validity, and authenticity of the digital content, making it suitable use in legal proceedings where admissibility rules apply or other settings where evidence is taken into consideration or where the presentation and use of digital information is otherwise of interest. In this case, the digital content may be referred to as digital evidence.

The blockchain may be formed in various ways. In one embodiment, the digital content may be included in and accessed from the blockchain itself. For example, each block of the blockchain may store a hash value of reference information (e.g., header, value, etc.) along the associated digital content. The hash value and associated digital content may then be encrypted together. Thus, the digital content of each block may be accessed by decrypting each block in the blockchain, and the hash value of each block may be used as a basis to reference a previous block. This may be illustrated as follows:

Block 1 Block 2 . . . Block N Hash Value 1 Hash Value 2 Hash Value N Digital Content 1 Digital Content 2 Digital Content N

In one embodiment, the digital content may be not included in the blockchain. For example, the blockchain may store the encrypted hashes of the content of each block without any of the digital content. The digital content may be stored in another storage area or memory address in association with the hash value of the original file. The other storage area may be the same storage device used to store the blockchain or may be a different storage area or even a separate relational database. The digital content of each block may be referenced or accessed by obtaining or querying the hash value of a block of interest and then looking up that has value in the storage area, which is stored in correspondence with the actual digital content. This operation may be performed, for example, a database gatekeeper. This may be illustrated as follows:

Blockchain Storage Area Block 1 Hash Value Block 1 Hash Value . . . Content . . . . . . Block N Hash Value Block N Hash Value . . . Content

In the example embodiment of FIG. 7C, the blockchain 770 includes a number of blocks 778 ₁, 778 ₂, . . . 778 _(N) cryptographically linked in an ordered sequence, where N≥1. The encryption used to link the blocks 778 ₁, 778 ₂, . . . 778 _(N) may be any of a number of keyed or un-keyed Hash functions. In one embodiment, the blocks 778 ₁, 778 ₂, . . . 778 _(N) are subject to a hash function which produces n-bit alphanumeric outputs (where n is 256 or another number) from inputs that are based on information in the blocks. Examples of such a hash function include, but are not limited to, a SHA-type (SHA stands for Secured Hash Algorithm) algorithm, Merkle-Damgard algorithm, HAIFA algorithm, Merkle-tree algorithm, nonce-based algorithm, and a non-collision-resistant PRF algorithm. In another embodiment, the blocks 778 ₁, 778 ₂, . . . , 778 _(N) may be cryptographically linked by a function that is different from a hash function. For purposes of illustration, the following description is made with reference to a hash function, e.g., SHA-2.

Each of the blocks 778 ₁, 778 ₂, . . . , 778 _(N) in the blockchain includes a header, a version of the file, and a value. The header and the value are different for each block as a result of hashing in the blockchain. In one embodiment, the value may be included in the header. As described in greater detail below, the version of the file may be the original file or a different version of the original file.

The first block 778 ₁ in the blockchain is referred to as the genesis block and includes the header 772 ₁, original file 774 ₁, and an initial value 776 ₁. The hashing scheme used for the genesis block, and indeed in all subsequent blocks, may vary. For example, all the information in the first block 778 ₁ may be hashed together and at one time, or each or a portion of the information in the first block 778 ₁ may be separately hashed and then a hash of the separately hashed portions may be performed.

The header 772 ₁ may include one or more initial parameters, which, for example, may include a version number, timestamp, nonce, root information, difficulty level, consensus protocol, duration, media format, source, descriptive keywords, and/or other information associated with original file 774 ₁ and/or the blockchain. The header 772 ₁ may be generated automatically (e.g., by blockchain network managing software) or manually by a blockchain participant. Unlike the header in other blocks 778 ₂ to 778 _(N) in the blockchain, the header 772 ₁ in the genesis block does not reference a previous block, simply because there is no previous block.

The original file 774 ₁ in the genesis block may be, for example, data as captured by a device with or without processing prior to its inclusion in the blockchain. The original file 774 ₁ is received through the interface of the system from the device, media source, or node. The original file 774 ₁ is associated with metadata, which, for example, may be generated by a user, the device, and/or the system processor, either manually or automatically. The metadata may be included in the first block 778 ₁ in association with the original file 774 ₁.

The value 776 ₁ in the genesis block is an initial value generated based on one or more unique attributes of the original file 774 ₁. In one embodiment, the one or more unique attributes may include the hash value for the original file 774 ₁, metadata for the original file 774 ₁, and other information associated with the file. In one implementation, the initial value 776 ₁ may be based on the following unique attributes:

-   -   1) SHA-2 computed hash value for the original file     -   2) originating device ID     -   3) starting timestamp for the original file     -   4) initial storage location of the original file     -   5) blockchain network member ID for software to currently         control the original file and associated metadata

The other blocks 778 ₂ to 778 _(N) in the blockchain also have headers, files, and values. However, unlike the first block 772 ₁, each of the headers 772 ₂ to 772 _(N) in the other blocks includes the hash value of an immediately preceding block. The hash value of the immediately preceding block may be just the hash of the header of the previous block or may be the hash value of the entire previous block. By including the hash value of a preceding block in each of the remaining blocks, a trace can be performed from the Nth block back to the genesis block (and the associated original file) on a block-by-block basis, as indicated by arrows 780, to establish an auditable and immutable chain-of-custody.

Each of the header 772 ₂ to 772 _(N) in the other blocks may also include other information, e.g., version number, timestamp, nonce, root information, difficulty level, consensus protocol, and/or other parameters or information associated with the corresponding files and/or the blockchain in general.

The files 774 ₂ to 774 _(N) in the other blocks may be equal to the original file or may be a modified version of the original file in the genesis block depending, for example, on the type of processing performed. The type of processing performed may vary from block to block. The processing may involve, for example, any modification of a file in a preceding block, such as redacting information or otherwise changing the content of, taking information away from, or adding or appending information to the files.

Additionally, or alternatively, the processing may involve merely copying the file from a preceding block, changing a storage location of the file, analyzing the file from one or more preceding blocks, moving the file from one storage or memory location to another, or performing action relative to the file of the blockchain and/or its associated metadata. Processing which involves analyzing a file may include, for example, appending, including, or otherwise associating various analytics, statistics, or other information associated with the file.

The values in each of the other blocks 776 ₂ to 776 _(N) in the other blocks are unique values and are all different as a result of the processing performed. For example, the value in any one block corresponds to an updated version of the value in the previous block. The update is reflected in the hash of the block to which the value is assigned. The values of the blocks therefore provide an indication of what processing was performed in the blocks and also permit a tracing through the blockchain back to the original file. This tracking confirms the chain-of-custody of the file throughout the entire blockchain.

For example, consider the case where portions of the file in a previous block are redacted, blocked out, or pixelated in order to protect the identity of a person shown in the file. In this case, the block including the redacted file will include metadata associated with the redacted file, e.g., how the redaction was performed, who performed the redaction, timestamps where the redaction(s) occurred, etc. The metadata may be hashed to form the value. Because the metadata for the block is different from the information that was hashed to form the value in the previous block, the values are different from one another and may be recovered when decrypted.

In one embodiment, the value of a previous block may be updated (e.g., a new hash value computed) to form the value of a current block when any one or more of the following occurs. The new hash value may be computed by hashing all or a portion of the information noted below, in this example embodiment.

-   -   a) new SHA-2 computed hash value if the file has been processed         in any way (e.g., if the file was redacted, copied, altered,         accessed, or some other action was taken)     -   b) new storage location for the file     -   c) new metadata identified associated with the file     -   d) transfer of access or control of the file from one blockchain         participant to another blockchain participant

FIG. 7D illustrates an embodiment of a block which may represent the structure of the blocks in the blockchain 790 in accordance with one embodiment. The block, Block_(i), includes a header 772 _(i), a file 774 _(i), and a value 776 _(i).

The header 772 _(i) includes a hash value of a previous block Block_(i-1) and additional reference information, which, for example, may be any of the types of information (e.g., header information including references, characteristics, parameters, etc.) discussed herein. All blocks reference the hash of a previous block except, of course, the genesis block. The hash value of the previous block may be just a hash of the header in the previous block or a hash of all or a portion of the information in the previous block, including the file and metadata.

The file 774 _(i) includes a plurality of data, such as Data 1, Data 2, . . . , Data N in sequence. The data are tagged with Metadata 1, Metadata 2, . . . , Metadata N which describe the content and/or characteristics associated with the data. For example, the metadata for each data may include information to indicate a timestamp for the data, process the data, keywords indicating the persons or other content depicted in the data, and/or other features that may be helpful to establish the validity and content of the file as a whole, and particularly its use a digital evidence, for example, as described in connection with an embodiment discussed below. In addition to the metadata, each data may be tagged with reference REF₁, REF₂, . . . , REF_(N) to a previous data to prevent tampering, gaps in the file, and sequential reference through the file.

Once the metadata is assigned to the data (e.g., through a smart contract), the metadata cannot be altered without the hash changing, which can easily be identified for invalidation. The metadata, thus, creates a data log of information that may be accessed for use by participants in the blockchain.

The value 776 _(i) is a hash value or other value computed based on any of the types of information previously discussed. For example, for any given block Block_(i), the value for that block may be updated to reflect the processing that was performed for that block, e.g., new hash value, new storage location, new metadata for the associated file, transfer of control or access, identifier, or other action or information to be added. Although the value in each block is shown to be separate from the metadata for the data of the file and header, the value may be based, in part or whole, on this metadata in another embodiment.

Once the blockchain 770 is formed, at any point in time, the immutable chain-of-custody for the file may be obtained by querying the blockchain for the transaction history of the values across the blocks. This query, or tracking procedure, may begin with decrypting the value of the block that is most currently included (e.g., the last (N^(th)) block), and then continuing to decrypt the value of the other blocks until the genesis block is reached and the original file is recovered. The decryption may involve decrypting the headers and files and associated metadata at each block, as well.

Decryption is performed based on the type of encryption that took place in each block. This may involve the use of private keys, public keys, or a public key-private key pair. For example, when asymmetric encryption is used, blockchain participants or a processor in the network may generate a public key and private key pair using a predetermined algorithm. The public key and private key are associated with each other through some mathematical relationship. The public key may be distributed publicly to serve as an address to receive messages from other users, e.g., an IP address or home address. The private key is kept secret and used to digitally sign messages sent to other blockchain participants. The signature is included in the message so that the recipient can verify using the public key of the sender. This way, the recipient can be sure that only the sender could have sent this message.

Generating a key pair may be analogous to creating an account on the blockchain, but without having to actually register anywhere. Also, every transaction that is executed on the blockchain is digitally signed by the sender using their private key. This signature ensures that only the owner of the account can track and process (if within the scope of permission determined by a smart contract) the file of the blockchain.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate additional examples of use cases for blockchain which may be incorporated and used herein. In particular, FIG. 8A illustrates an example 800 of a blockchain 810 which stores machine learning (artificial intelligence) data. Machine learning relies on vast quantities of historical data (or training data) to build predictive models for accurate prediction on new data. Machine learning software (e.g., neural networks, etc.) can often sift through millions of records to unearth non-intuitive patterns.

In the example of FIG. 8A, a host platform 820 builds and deploys a machine learning model for predictive monitoring of assets 830. Here, the host platform 820 may be a cloud platform, an industrial server, a web server, a personal computer, a user device, and the like. Assets 830 can be any type of asset (e.g., machine or equipment, etc.) such as an aircraft, locomotive, turbine, medical machinery and equipment, oil and gas equipment, boats, ships, vehicles, and the like. As another example, assets 830 may be non-tangible assets such as stocks, currency, digital coins, insurance, or the like.

The blockchain 810 can be used to significantly improve both a training process 802 of the machine learning model and a predictive process 804 based on a trained machine learning model. For example, in 802, rather than requiring a data scientist/engineer or other user to collect the data, historical data may be stored by the assets 830 themselves (or through an intermediary, not shown) on the blockchain 810. This can significantly reduce the collection time needed by the host platform 820 when performing predictive model training. For example, using smart contracts, data can be directly and reliably transferred straight from its place of origin to the blockchain 810. By using the blockchain 810 to ensure the security and ownership of the collected data, smart contracts may directly send the data from the assets to the individuals that use the data for building a machine learning model. This allows for sharing of data among the assets 830.

The collected data may be stored in the blockchain 810 based on a consensus mechanism. The consensus mechanism pulls in (permissioned nodes) to ensure that the data being recorded is verified and accurate. The data recorded is time-stamped, cryptographically signed, and immutable. It is therefore auditable, transparent, and secure. Adding IoT devices which write directly to the blockchain can, in certain cases (i.e. supply chain, healthcare, logistics, etc.), increase both the frequency and accuracy of the data being recorded.

Furthermore, training of the machine learning model on the collected data may take rounds of refinement and testing by the host platform 820. Each round may be based on additional data or data that was not previously considered to help expand the knowledge of the machine learning model. In 802, the different training and testing steps (and the data associated therewith) may be stored on the blockchain 810 by the host platform 820. Each refinement of the machine learning model (e.g., changes in variables, weights, etc.) may be stored on the blockchain 810. This provides verifiable proof of how the model was trained and what data was used to train the model. Furthermore, when the host platform 820 has achieved a finally trained model, the resulting model may be stored on the blockchain 810.

After the model has been trained, it may be deployed to a live environment where it can make predictions/decisions based on the execution of the final trained machine learning model. For example, in 804, the machine learning model may be used for condition-based maintenance (CBM) for an asset such as an aircraft, a wind turbine, a healthcare machine, and the like. In this example, data fed back from the asset 830 may be input the machine learning model and used to make event predictions such as failure events, error codes, and the like. Determinations made by the execution of the machine learning model at the host platform 820 may be stored on the blockchain 810 to provide auditable/verifiable proof. As one non-limiting example, the machine learning model may predict a future breakdown/failure to a part of the asset 830 and create alert or a notification to replace the part. The data behind this decision may be stored by the host platform 820 on the blockchain 810. In one embodiment the features and/or the actions described and/or depicted herein can occur on or with respect to the blockchain 810.

New transactions for a blockchain can be gathered together into a new block and added to an existing hash value. This is then encrypted to create a new hash for the new block. This is added to the next list of transactions when they are encrypted, and so on. The result is a chain of blocks that each contain the hash values of all preceding blocks. Computers that store these blocks regularly compare their hash values to ensure that they are all in agreement. Any computer that does not agree, discards the records that are causing the problem. This approach is good for ensuring tamper-resistance of the blockchain, but it is not perfect.

One way to game this system is for a dishonest user to change the list of transactions in their favor, but in a way that leaves the hash unchanged. This can be done by brute force, in other words by changing a record, encrypting the result, and seeing whether the hash value is the same. And if not, trying again and again and again until it finds a hash that matches. The security of blockchains is based on the belief that ordinary computers can only perform this kind of brute force attack over time scales that are entirely impractical, such as the age of the universe. By contrast, quantum computers are much faster (1000s of times faster) and consequently pose a much greater threat.

FIG. 8B illustrates an example 850 of a quantum-secure blockchain 852 which implements quantum key distribution (QKD) to protect against a quantum computing attack. In this example, blockchain users can verify each other's identities using QKD. This sends information using quantum particles such as photons, which cannot be copied by an eavesdropper without destroying them. In this way, a sender and a receiver through the blockchain can be sure of each other's identity.

In the example of FIG. 8B, four users are present 854, 856, 858, and 860. Each of pair of users may share a secret key 862 (i.e., a QKD) between themselves. Since there are four nodes in this example, six pairs of nodes exists, and therefore six different secret keys 862 are used including QKD_(AB), QKD_(AC), QKD_(AD), QKD_(BC), QKD_(BD), and QKD_(CD). Each pair can create a QKD by sending information using quantum particles such as photons, which cannot be copied by an eavesdropper without destroying them. In this way, a pair of users can be sure of each other's identity.

The operation of the blockchain 852 is based on two procedures (i) creation of transactions, and (ii) construction of blocks that aggregate the new transactions. New transactions may be created similar to a traditional blockchain network. Each transaction may contain information about a sender, a receiver, a time of creation, an amount (or value) to be transferred, a list of reference transactions that justifies the sender has funds for the operation, and the like. This transaction record is then sent to all other nodes where it is entered into a pool of unconfirmed transactions. Here, two parties (i.e., a pair of users from among 854-860) authenticate the transaction by providing their shared secret key 862 (QKD). This quantum signature can be attached to every transaction making it exceedingly difficult to tamper with. Each node checks their entries with respect to a local copy of the blockchain 852 to verify that each transaction has sufficient funds. However, the transactions are not yet confirmed.

Rather than perform a traditional mining process on the blocks, the blocks may be created in a decentralized manner using a broadcast protocol. At a predetermined period of time (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, etc.) the network may apply the broadcast protocol to any unconfirmed transaction thereby to achieve a Byzantine agreement (consensus) regarding a correct version of the transaction. For example, each node may possess a private value (transaction data of that particular node). In a first round, nodes transmit their private values to each other. In subsequent rounds, nodes communicate the information they received in the previous round from other nodes. Here, honest nodes are able to create a complete set of transactions within a new block. This new block can be added to the blockchain 852. In one embodiment the features and/or the actions described and/or depicted herein can occur on or with respect to the blockchain 852.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example system 900 that supports one or more of the example embodiments described and/or depicted herein. The system 900 comprises a computer system/server 902, which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server 902 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 902 may be described in the general context of computer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server 902 may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

As shown in FIG. 9 , computer system/server 902 in cloud computing node 900 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server 902 may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 904, a system memory 906, and a bus that couples various system components including system memory 906 to processor 904.

The bus represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 902 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server 902, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. System memory 906, in one embodiment, implements the flow diagrams of the other figures. The system memory 906 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM) 910 and/or cache memory 912. Computer system/server 902 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 914 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to the bus by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory 906 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of various embodiments of the application.

Program/utility 916, having a set (at least one) of program modules 918, may be stored in memory 906 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 918 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of various embodiments of the application as described herein.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present application may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Computer system/server 902 may also communicate with one or more external devices 920 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 922, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server 902; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 902 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces 924. Still yet, computer system/server 902 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 926. As depicted, network adapter 926 communicates with the other components of computer system/server 902 via a bus. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 902. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Although an exemplary embodiment of at least one of a system, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium has been illustrated in the accompanied drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the application is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions as set forth and defined by the following claims. For example, the capabilities of the system of the various figures can be performed by one or more of the modules or components described herein or in a distributed architecture and may include a transmitter, receiver or pair of both. For example, all or part of the functionality performed by the individual modules, may be performed by one or more of these modules. Further, the functionality described herein may be performed at various times and in relation to various events, internal or external to the modules or components. Also, the information sent between various modules can be sent between the modules via at least one of: a data network, the Internet, a voice network, an Internet Protocol network, a wireless device, a wired device and/or via plurality of protocols. Also, the messages sent or received by any of the modules may be sent or received directly and/or via one or more of the other modules.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that a “system” could be embodied as a personal computer, a server, a console, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell phone, a tablet computing device, a smartphone or any other suitable computing device, or combination of devices. Presenting the above-described functions as being performed by a “system” is not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way but is intended to provide one example of many embodiments. Indeed, methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be implemented in localized and distributed forms consistent with computing technology.

It should be noted that some of the system features described in this specification have been presented as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very large-scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, graphics processing units, or the like.

A module may also be at least partially implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified unit of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions that may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module. Further, modules may be stored on a computer-readable medium, which may be, for instance, a hard disk drive, flash device, random access memory (RAM), tape, or any other such medium used to store data.

Indeed, a module of executable code could be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.

It will be readily understood that the components of the application, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the application as claimed but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the application.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations that are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the application has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent.

While preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and the scope of the application is to be defined solely by the appended claims when considered with a full range of equivalents and modifications (e.g., protocols, hardware devices, software platforms etc.) thereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a network interface configured to receive a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network; and a hardware processor configured to verify that the off-chain content satisfies a cross-domain security policy between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain, in response to the verification, sign an on-chain portion of the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer, transmit the signed on-chain portion of the data file to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network, and transmit the off-chain portion of the data file to a cross-domain content controller.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first security domain is logically and physically isolated from the second security domain via high-assurance security controls implemented via a high-assurance controlled interface and by the ordering service.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is configured to verify that the on-chain portion and off-chain content does not expose any content that is classified for use in the first security domain but not for use in the second security domain.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is configured to verify that the on-chain portion and off-chain content does not introduce any malicious content from the first security domain into the second security domain.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to determine, via the ordering service, that a predetermined number of cross-domain endorsement peers have signed the data file to reach a consensus.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to transmit, via the ordering service, the signed on-chain portion to a first set of blockchain peers in the first security domain and a second set of blockchain peers in the second security domain, in response to the determination.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to transmit, via a cross-domain endorsement peer in the first security domain, a notification to a cross-domain controller peer to digitally sign and transmit an associated off-chain data file to a cross-domain content controller in the second security domain.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to add metadata to a block, wherein the metadata includes an identifier of the off-chain content and a status identifier which describes a current step of the data file in the cross-domain validation.
 9. A method comprising: receiving a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network; verifying that on-chain and off-chain content satisfies a cross-domain security policy between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain; in response to verifying the off-chain content, signing an on-chain portion of the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer; transmitting the signed on-chain portion of the data file to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network; and transmitting the off-chain content of the data file to a first security domain cross-domain content controller.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first security domain is logically and physically isolated from the second security domain via high-assurance security controls implemented via a high-assurance controlled interface and access controls that are implemented by the ordering service.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the verifying comprises verifying that the on-chain portion and off-chain content does not expose any content that is classified for use in the first security domain but not for use in the second security domain.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the verifying comprises verifying that the on-chain portion and the off-chain content does not introduce any malicious content from the first security domain into the second security domain.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises determining, via the ordering service, that a predetermined number of cross-domain endorsement peers have signed the on-chain portion of the data file to reach a consensus.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, in response to the determination, transmitting the signed on-chain portion of the data file to a first set of blockchain peers in the first security domain and a second set of blockchain peers in the second security domain.
 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving, via a cross-domain content controller in the first security domain, a notification from a cross-domain endorsement peer referencing the data file, and transmitting the data file to a cross-domain content controller in the second security domain.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising adding metadata to a block, wherein the metadata includes an identifier of the off-chain content and a status identifier which describes a current step of the data file in the cross-domain validation.
 17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, that when read by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a data file with off-chain content that originated in a first security domain of a multi-domain blockchain network; verifying that an on-chain portion of the data file and the off-chain content satisfies a cross-domain security policy between the first security domain and a second security domain within the multi-domain blockchain network with a different security policy than the first security domain; in response to verifying the on-chain and off-chain content, signing the on-chain portion of the data file with a signature of a cross-domain endorsement peer; transmitting the signed on-chain portion of the data file to an ordering service of the multi-domain blockchain network; and transmitting the off-chain content of the data file to a first-security domain cross-domain content controller to hold.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the first security domain is logically and physically isolated from the second security domain via high-assurance security controls implemented via a high-assurance controlled interface and access controls that are implemented by the ordering service.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the verifying comprises verifying that the on-chain portion and the off-chain content does not expose any data that is classified for use in the first security domain but not for use in the second security domain.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the verifying comprises verifying that the on-chain portion and the off-chain content does not introduce any malicious content from the first security domain into the second security domain. 